:''Such donations are acceptable if the deceased donor had willed such action, or if surviving relatives permit it providing that it was in harmony with the desires of the deceased. Such actions can be approved as an expression of love and if they express the self-determination of the donor. In all cases, respect for the body of the donor should be maintained.

:''Such donations are acceptable if the deceased donor had willed such action, or if surviving relatives permit it providing that it was in harmony with the desires of the deceased. Such actions can be approved as an expression of love and if they express the self-determination of the donor. In all cases, respect for the body of the donor should be maintained.

−

:''Organ transplants should never be commercial­ized nor coerced nor take placed without proper consent, nor place in jeopardy the identity of the donor or recipient, such as the use of animal organs. Nor should the death of the donor be hastened in order to harvest organs for trans­plantation to another person.''

+

:''Organ transplants should never be commercialized nor coerced nor take placed without proper consent, nor place in jeopardy the identity of the donor or recipient, such as the use of animal organs. Nor should the death of the donor be hastened in order to harvest organs for transplantation to another person.''

*[http://www.csmonitor.com/2004/0609/p01s03-wogi.html How Much Is A Kidney Worth?] by Abraham McLaughlin, Ilene R. Prusher, and Andrew Downie

[[Category:Bioethics]]

[[Category:Bioethics]]

Revision as of 02:46, December 13, 2005

Organ donation is the act of donating one or more bodily organ to another so that it may be used in another's body to increase the risk of survival and/or health of the recipient. Such a transfer is called an organ transplant. Other donatations of a similar nature include blood and bone marrow donations.

The human body consists of many organs, and because of our fallen nature these organs are subject to corruption and decay. Diseased organs often lead to death in such afflicted persons. Advances in medical and surgical technology in the past century include the possibility of receiving a healthy organ from another human or even, in some cases, an animal. This is known as organ transplantation. Organ transplants are performed almost worldwide to extend the life of someone who has a diagnosed organ disease. The diseased organ is removed and in its place goes the donated organ. In some cases, multiple organs are transplanted. The organ donors include:

a live volunteer, typically a relative of the recipient;

a brain dead person with a heart beat but reliant on a respirator; or

someone whose organs were removed and preserved upon death until the need arises.

a pig, often for its heart valves

A healthy human can donate a kidney, part of the liver, bone marrow, and blood without serious long term health risks. Surgeons can transplant many additional organs, such as the heart and lungs, intestines, pancreas, and corneas, if the donor is already dead. There is a small medical risk on the part of a live donor as it involves surgical removal of the organ or organs.

The lives of many adults and children, boys and girls, young and old, are saved through such a donation. A donor is often hailed in society as a hero; families often come together as life long friends, sharing the common bond of a donated organ. In this way, such a donation is an expression of love and concern and sacrifice for the well being of another child of God.

Blood transfusions and skin transplants were performed in the Patristic period and this practice was never condemned. Solid organ transplantation did not exist in the Patristic Period, so there are no patristic writings which deal directly with this issue. Rev. Dr. Stanley Harakas and other modern Orthodox theologians have written statements concerning organ donation. Fr. Harakas, in particular ("Pastoral Guidelines: Church Positions Regarding the Sanctity of Human Life," Internet article: [1], 2002) tells us that we should always respect the body of the donor, whether alive or dead, and we should carefully consider such a decision to donate. The donation should certainly be a voluntary act of love. Blood and marrow donations should not be as great an issue as it involves no surgery and causes no obvious harm.

Fr. Harakas adds the following:

Such donations are acceptable if the deceased donor had willed such action, or if surviving relatives permit it providing that it was in harmony with the desires of the deceased. Such actions can be approved as an expression of love and if they express the self-determination of the donor. In all cases, respect for the body of the donor should be maintained.

Organ transplants should never be commercialized nor coerced nor take placed without proper consent, nor place in jeopardy the identity of the donor or recipient, such as the use of animal organs. Nor should the death of the donor be hastened in order to harvest organs for transplantation to another person.